Down valley growth: More details emerge for new Granby developments

A look at the new developments planned for or already completed in Granby.

Change has been in the air in Granby over the past two years as a host of municipal projects and land developments have begun to reshape the community, and, according to local government officials, more are on the horizon.

The transformation of the town has been happening slowly as a series of small- to medium-size municipal projects have begun to subtly change the look and feel of Granby. A new water treatment plant, completed in October 2017, was among the first visible changes to the community.

That was followed by a pedestrian pathway project, running alongside Highway 40, that is being completed in two phases. The first phase has been completed already and the second phase is expected to begin in 2019. The town also wrapped up phase one of the Raffety Park project late last year, as well.

Beyond projects already completed, or partially completed, is a set of housing and commercial developments expected to break ground within the next few years, including a pair of developments planned for the long dormant Shorefox property north of Granby.

Those two developments, by Sun Communities, include a recreational vehicle campground, with spaces for roughly 1,100 units, and an attainable/workforce housing development, which is expected to contain roughly 300 two- to three-bedroom cabins.

Town officials expect Sun to present additional development details at the March 5 planning commission meeting before going before the board of trustees for final approval. Officials said the agreement development process between the town and Sun is in the home stretch.

The attainable housing development Sun is looking to build on the Shorefox property is further out.

Granby Mayor Paul Chavoustie said Sun understands the "sense of urgency for affordable housing," but noted the affordable housing is separate from Sun's current focus, which is the RV park development.

"If the resort is not approved, they won't be building this," Chavoustie said. "We expect to get the RV resort details squared away first."

A separate affordable housing development and a senior housing development are also in the early planning stages. Chavoustie said the town expects to hear the senior housing developers' initial proposal at the Feb. 27 Granby board meeting. The developer is currently eyeing a few lots within the town, but no final decision has been made.

"This will be their first draft," Chavoustie said. "It is the beginning of the formal conversation of the proposed project."

The other affordable housing development currently being considered would be constructed on a town-owned lot near the Flying Heels Rodeo Arena slightly south of downtown Granby. The property, which the town has owned for many years, is deed restricted and affordable housing apartments are the only things that can be built there.

Chavoustie said the deal between the developer and the town would see the land essentially given to the developer at no cost, but the developer will be required to pay full price for all other development fees, such as tap fees. According to Chavoustie, the property developer is currently awaiting approval from CDOT and other governmental entities, other than the town of Granby, before officially filing for building permits.

The development is expected to include roughly 250 units and, if the permitting process is approved soon, the developer hopes to begin breaking ground later this summer.

A series of other commercial, residential and mixed-use developments are also in the works or completed including the Dollar General store, a mixed-use — office, residential and retail — building is expected to go up at the corner of Third Avenue and Agate Avenue in Granby, where Munn Architecture is located. Town officials said Munn is handling the development and if all goes well the project will break ground this year.

A 16 duplex townhouse development is already underway out at Granby Ranch. The development, which is located near the base of the Granby Ranch Ski Area, started last fall.